You may have heard the word probiotics before, and something about their role in promoting health. Many people around the world are turning to probiotics to prevent or treat a variety of digestive maladies. Many products on grocery shelves are now loudly advertising the presence of probiotics in their formula, and in the pharmacy there’s all sorts of pills and supplements touting their probiotics and benefits. It is estimated that product development and sales will reach $50 billion within the next five years.
One of the most common concerns over growing older cited when aging people are surveyed is loss of independence. Three out of four adults 50 years of age or older want to stay in their own homes and communities as they live through their twilight years. But with this, many older people worry about not being able to move around as well when they get older, meaning they’ll be unable to continue with their favorite activities, visit their favorite places, or even keep up with the necessary daily tasks of living.
Almost half of all people in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease. And furthermore, every 40 seconds, someone suffers a heart attack or a stroke, and it is for that reason that heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America.
While many of us probably already have a primary care physician, particularly as we age into our twilight years and it seems there’s no end to prescriptions and appointments. But there may come a time when you need to branch out, and see a doctor who specializes specifically in the care of older adults. Consider that when you were small, or when your children were, you took them to a pediatrician. Just as children need specialized care specific to the concerns of their bodies that differs from adults, at the other end of the spectrum, older adults are different from the younger cohort in physical, emotional, and social needs. A geriatrician can, in many cases, be the best choice for aging adults, as their health status changes and they may find their goals for care becoming more complex.
As the Winter months give way to Spring, a time of new growth and celebration, one way seniors can ring in the coming season’s warmth and bountiful plentitude is by taking up a new hobby, particularly gardening. The warmer temperatures and increased sunlight are perfect conditions for getting outside, getting in the dirt, and planting your favorite flowers or vegetables. Seeing a garden grow from seed to a panoply of brightly colored flowers, lush greens, and nutritious vegetables is one of the most satisfying projects one can undertake, and more than that, it has many benefits that are of particular interest to senior citizens. Read on to find out more about how this hobby can help you to live your best life as you enter your twilight years.
Experiencing highs and lows is a natural part of life. As we look back on our life, the highs will typically be some of our best memories, and the lows might be things we still struggle with to this day. It is always important to remember that the lows are not forever, and with some simple strategies, you can help yourself to bust out of any ruts you may be feeling stuck in due to whatever has got you feeling down.
There’s an old adage that whatever we think will happen, will happen. With the process of aging, that holds true, and many seniors find themselves to have become whatever they think they will become in their later years. Having positive perceptions about aging, such as wisdom, self-realization, fulfillment, or vitality is associated with a nearly eight year increase in lifespan, compared to having negative perceptions about aging, such as being useless or helpless.
Caregiving is a universal experience. Nearly everyone will, at one point in their life, either be a caregiver, need a caregiver, or oftentimes both. Caregiving requires a personal touch, to do what is needed to relieve stress and burdens on those who need care, and their loved ones. Whether a caregiver is part of your family, a close friend, or someone hired from an outside agency, they will develop personal relationships while taking care of needs and business both in and outside of the house. Regardless if the caregiver is providing care to you, or to a loved one, there are a few simple ways to say thank you.
For many seniors, a common challenge is getting a good night’s sleep. As we advance in years, you may notice that you nap more during the day, feel tired much earlier at night, have trouble falling asleep at night, find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, and have a hard time falling back asleep.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most terrifying prospects of getting older, as well as one of the most heartbreaking things to see a loved one experiencing and struggling with. There is no way to completely prevent Alzheimer’s, and there is currently no cure, so educating yourself to recognize the signs, symptoms, and stages is one of the best things you can do.
One of the most visible indications of age is the toll it takes on the largest organ in the human body, our skin. When we’re young, our skin is smooth, tight, and glowing. As we get older, no matter how good we take care of it, skin will lose it’s smoothness, become thinner, less elastic, less hydrated, and lines, spots, and other blemishes can appear.
Heart disease is a serious condition that affects millions of people each and every year. In fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. For this reason, it is important to have accurate and actionable information about it, as well as shed ourselves of any potentially harmful disinformation.
The aging process brings about a variety of changes to your body and your health. Some people experience minor aches and pains, and others begin to suffer vision loss. While a decline in vision is a common change that happens to us as we age, for some that means simply needing to pick up a pair of reading glasses and a book light, and for others it can be much more severe, with a near total loss of vision.
Loneliness, anxiety, and depression are on the rise with almost every age group. For older adults, who have always been at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness and isolation, it is important to make a more deliberate effort to stay in touch with friends and family. Social isolation and loneliness has been tied to a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and cognitive decline. It’s necessary to feel a connection and warmth, even from a distance. Here are some ideas:
Pre-diabetes is, as the name suggests, the early stage leading up to the full blown disease of diabetes. To be pre-diabetic, it means you have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to qualify as diabetes. Glucose is a form of sugar that our bodies utilize to make energy. Too much glucose in your blood can, over time, damage your body. Pre-diabetes is also known as impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance.
Bronchitis is the name for a condition where the bronchial tubes, which are the tubes that carry air to your lungs, become inflamed and produce mucus. One of the primary symptoms of bronchitis is a cough that produces mucus. Other symptoms can also include wheezing, a whistling or squeaking sound when breathing, chest pain or discomfort, a low fever, and shortness of breath. Bronchitis comes in two main forms. Acute, which is short term, and chronic, which is ongoing. Both types cause your airways to constrict and cause coughing, both of which make it difficult to breathe and get adequate oxygen.
While there is a great deal of focus on nutrition and proper eating for our health and wellness, much of what is missing from the conversation is the necessity and function of the various vitamins in our bodies, especially for older adults.
The early symptoms of kidney disease can unfortunately go unnoticed for years due to their subtlety. As kidneys process and remove toxins from the body, any delays in medical treatment can be fatal. Catching the signs early can prevent permanent damage.
No matter what age you are, the health of your mouth is a critical piece of your overall health. With a healthy mouth, you will have no problem eating the foods that you love and need for proper nutrition. You’ll also be unafraid to smile, talk, and laugh, helping you get the social interaction you need for your mental health and mood, and maintain a good sense of self esteem. If you neglect your teeth, eventually they’ll go away, so proper care and regular dentist visits are essential for keeping them for your lifetime. Many people have the perception that teeth are the same as bones, but this is inaccurate. Your teeth have a hard outer coating covering them called enamel. Each day, a thin film of bacteria that is called “plaque” builds up on teeth. Over time, if left unattended, this bacteria can eat holes in the enamel, which are known as cavities. Brushing and flossing regularly will remove this film, preventing tooth decay. Once a cavity happens, however, it can’t be reversed and a dentist has to fix it.
Of the many guidelines for living a healthy life, we’re commonly told it’s important to eat well, get exercise, and receive plenty of restful sleep. But one thing we’re rarely told is that frequent laughter is just as vital to living a healthy life. More than just a way to feel better instantly and connect with friends, laughter may actually help you to become healthier.
In many cases, anxiety is a normal response to stress. The feeling of elevated alertness is a part of the body’s fight or flight response, which helps us to quickly assess and react to high stakes and dangerous situations. When this response is triggered only situationally, in appropriate conditions, anxiety is otherwise normal and healthy. But for some people, the response is triggered by inappropriate situations that do not actually pose any sort of threat. When anxiety becomes a near constant concern, to the point where life becomes centered around managing fears, worries, and it negatively affects daily life and activities, then it becomes a serious mental health condition.
While some amount of forgetfulness and mental stumbling is normal with the aging process, it should only be occasional and minor, never causing major problems or seriously interfering with a senior’s quality of life. Forgetting someone’s name, failing to recall if you locked the door or not, and losing your keys are all normal lapses of memory that happen to everyone from time to time. However, more serious lapses like forgetting the way home, being unable to remember how a telephone works, or walking into a store and then suddenly not knowing where you are all probably point to an underlying neurological problem, such as Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
In many families, when older adults need extra care to get through their days, adult children or grandchildren will step in to help. And while at first, this can be a workable arrangement, the task list can soon swell. Soon, helping out here and there becomes managing your loved one’s healthcare appointments, taking care of the house and domestic tasks, and sometimes performing hands-on health care tasks that may seem more appropriate for a trained medical professional to manage.
With nine out of ten adults over the age of 65 taking some form of daily medication, and more than half taking four or more, seniors have plenty of opportunity to get to know their local pharmacist. With their knowledge of prescription and over the counter drugs, as well as how they can affect and interact with one another, there are several ways pharmacists can play a role in a senior’s health care plan.
The holidays are a joyous and celebratory time of the year, with lots of cheer, family fun, and plenty of activity to keep busy. But for many people, the end of the holidays can be a dark, lonely and depressing time. As many as 64% of people have reported feeling what can be described as the post-holiday blues. Oftentimes, the exhilarating feeling of stress, thrill, and excitement from the holidays can translate to a period of feeling sad, tired, and depressed once that excitement is no longer present.